David Samson
David Samson
choice deal definitely happen recognize time trying
We're definitely negotiating with everybody, and we're trying to get a deal done here because it is our first choice. But we recognize it may not happen and we don't have much time left.
baseball cities deal focused front gets looking name player specific stadium
I don't think one player gets a stadium deal done. Cities that want baseball want it for 50 years. They're looking for the name on the front of the jersey. They're not focused on a specific player.
choice deal florida
We told them that Florida is our first choice, but we have no deal yet.
agreed deal financing mind plan preference require small stay talked
We talked about a financing plan they had in mind that would require a very small contribution by the team. We told them our preference is to stay in Florida, but we have no deal in Florida. We agreed that we will stay in touch.
deal learn meet paper people portland talk typical
There were no deal discussions. It was very much an introductory meeting. It was 'getting to know you' day. We got to meet people and talk to them and learn more about Portland than what you can read about in the paper and in typical analyses.
choice continue deal florida miami noted reality south
It should be noted that Miami and south Florida continue to be our first choice. But the reality is we don't have a deal there because our lease expires after 2010.
best crew happen
We do have the best grounds crew in the sport. But sometimes things happen that are out of their control.
built five focus last seven south staying teams
Our focus is on staying in South Florida, that's our only goal. Five of the last seven new (major league) ballparks were built after teams started to relocate and didn't.
baseball city franchise gateway people team took washington
Miami, the Gateway to the Americas, could well be the first American city in 35 years to see its baseball franchise leave. People in Washington D.C. know very well how long it took to get a team back.
business conversation cooperate indication initial interest mayor political progress time
We have made progress from an initial conversation to an indication of interest from the business community, from the cooperate community, from the fans, from the political community. We're serious, because Jeffrey and the mayor would not allocate their time this way if they weren't.
chance good hello innings nine opportunity people quality spend
We thought it would be a good opportunity to have a chance to say hello and get to know them. The commissioners are very important people in the community. We want to spend a quality nine innings with them.
answer asked both few questions
We asked them a few questions, they asked us a few questions. We're both going to answer each other's questions and then see about another meeting.
commented until
We have been contacted by many cities, and we have not really commented until if and when we visit.
early somewhere temporary
We have to be somewhere in 2011 and we could be somewhere as early as 2008. There is a temporary place to play in Norfolk, which is something we could look at strongly.